The Heavens Shall Fall

The morning after scouting the mine, the Spirit Wardens split into three groups. First, they met near the Nine Hanging Bells, where Seloryn distributed three copies of the equipment list they had prepared after returning. It wasn't fixed, but it outlined what type of items they needed. She went over it, reorganizing all the ideas neatly, with each possible 'item' ranked by importance, expected cost, and where it could most likely be purchased.

“You cannot remove things from my list without consulting me,” Ruben complained when he read through the finalized list.

“We do not need matching cloaks,” Seloryn said without looking at him, “And we are not buying uniforms. Suitable footwear alone will do.”

"That wouldn't be a bad idea, though..." Arya muttered as she stood beside Joren and Nokoh, having been assigned to accompany them to the Companions along with Marly and Cho’Wa.

“Not now," Seloryn continued, "Siu and Ruben will head to the Fabricator and get us what we need to wear. The rest of you deal with the Companions, while I will go to the Formation Hall for emergency supplies. Those people dislike noise, so I alone will be enough. I hope everyone knows what they are purchasing... Don't make last-minute additions!"

With promises they wouldn't, the group set off, while Siu and Ruben reached their destination first and watched the metallic pillars around the building. The constant hum coming from it made their stomachs buzz, especially after they were halfway up the steps and a column of blue-white flame erupted toward the sky from one of the nearby vents.

“I hate this place.” Ruben shrugged, even though they were protected from it by the transparent shield that sprang up, blocking the flames and heat from reaching them.

“The first time I came here, that nearly made Arya fall off me.” Siu agreed, making Ruben smile.

“I’m sorry I missed it.”

As they entered, the first floor was a shop, or at least, that is how Siu would have called it. Rows of display cases were placed everywhere, dividing the massive chamber into different aisles. Weapons were placed at the front, being the most popular choices. For a brief moment, both of them just scanned the swords, spears, metal fans, bows, batons, chain weapons, and several things Siu could not even imagine using.

However, they were here for clothes, so they headed where the displays changed to armor. Breastplates came first, then segmented robes, with helmets occupying their own shelves, next to boots, bracelets, belts, cloaks, masks, gloves, needles, tools, lamps, and dozens of specialized artifacts, like needle-shaped nail covers. Sometimes they had to stop as servants moved between the counters carrying trays of finished items, taking off sold ones and replacing them with newly crafted variants. Reaching the back, where people could give some of the items a test run, a young-looking disciple was swinging a spear near one of the testing circles. Just as the two arrived and looked at him, the weapon extended without warning as its bladed end shot forward three meters and drove into the protective barrier.

“I'll take it!”

"It will be eight Verdant Crystals," The nearby servant said, making Siu almost choke, because that meant 80,000 CC, and the boy paid it without flinching.

“How much was your umbrella?” Siu asked suddenly.

“One Azure and three Verdant.” Ruben answered without flinching, "It's a top-shelf product that will accompany me until I reach the Second Circle."

Siu didn't ask more, as if something that costs 130,000 CC should indeed be the best of the best. He just hoped they didn't come to spend that much on boots... They pooled their money, and they had enough with Quillian sponsoring the group, or at least, paying into the pool through Siu. However, he didn't want to waste the old man's money, even if he said he was backing him... By the end of his thoughts, they finally found the Utility Equipment section. Unlike the more impressive displays, the artifacts here were smaller and clustered, put into one big display case. Most of them resembled ordinary pieces of clothing or tools until someone examined the tags attached to them, describing the enchantments placed on them.

“Repair, commission, or purchase?” A servant asked when he noticed the two standing before the case, searching, and walked up to them at once.

“Purchase,” Siu answered. “We are looking for movement-dampening equipment for six inner disciples. Items that would make our approach less noticeable.”

"Hmm..." The servant’s head tilted, thinking, “For what terrain?”

“Rocks, but very echoey," Siu continued, "In an abandoned mine.”

“I see. What is the expected threat?”

“Prismhide Burrower.”

"Oh?" That made him raise his head, nodding thoughtfully as his eyes moved from Siu to Ruben, pausing on their silver sashes.

“Hunting, hm?”

“Capture,” Ruben added with a proud smile, “Preferably alive.”

"..." The servant stared at them for a moment, probably wanting to say something, but then he held back. "Please, walk with me."

“Where?” Siu asked.

“Nowhere in particular," He smiled, "Just walk with me at your normal pace.”

In the end, they obeyed, as they began strolling around the shop while sometimes the servant told them to go faster, circulate their breathing technique, stop at a command, jump, walk backward, making both Ruben and Siu feel like he was just having fun.

"That will be enough, thank you." He clapped suddenly, just as they returned to where they started from. "Wait here," He added as he disappeared and returned with a flat box half an hour later. When he opened it, inside were five sets of dark cloth-like things, each accompanied by two ankle clasps and smaller metal tabs. "These are made from Dampweave Moss,” he explained enthusiastically, “The ankle pieces not only keep them on, but together, they absorb the first impact from each step, while the belt spreads what remains through the wearer’s clothing. The cloth, or in this case the moss, will be the main part that you have to wear on your feet, naked. Do not try to put it on your boots or sandals. It goes on your feet, like a sock, understood?”

"Are we supposed to go barefoot into a mine?" Ruben picked one up by the clasp, examining it; it weighed almost nothing, surprising him.

"No," The servant rolled his eyes, "You go in wearing these. I had to see how well your teamwork is, and you were pretty much in sync, so I guess the rest of your group is the same, yes? So, these will be the best for you all, believe me!"

“How effective they are?” Siu asked, also checking the 'socks' that felt soft and almost silky.

“Walking at a normal pace, it should muffle your approach very well. Naturally, it won't deal with the rest of the noises you can make, like banging on walls, knocking things around, things falling from your pockets. But your steps could even allow you to sneak up to a burrower.”

“And while running?” Ruben asked, catching on that it was meant for simply walking.

“Halve the effectiveness. And while in combat, halve it again. Not that it would count to anything by then. Oh, and, if you do fight, don't kick with these; they aren't made for that and will tear. If you are done sneaking around, you just have to attach the tabs to the bottom of your feet; they'll stick to it and give you more grip and mobility, but you won't be muffled anymore."

“We also need to see without carrying active lights.” Siu nodded, already liking the 'socks,' and feeling confident in asking for advice.

"Hm..." The servant pointed toward a cabinet behind them after thinking, and pulled out a pair of dark lenses that looked like round glasses. “These will do,” he said, humming to himself. “However, not in pitch-black darkness. You will still need some sort of light, as they collect existing light rather than produce it.”

"We can place some of the stones around the chamber," Ruben offered, glancing at Siu, "To create a natural-feeling dimness that wouldn't be too weird for the beast, I think."

"Better than giving us away by moving the light around in our hands," Siu nodded as he picked up one of the glasses and examined it. The lenses were smoky gray, almost black, and when he tried it on, all of the shop became so bright, he had to hurriedly pull it off and blink his eyes, seeing spots everywhere, "Woah... Strong!"

“How long before they strain the eyes?” Ruben asked, chuckling as he watched Siu rubbing his eyes.

“Depends on the user.” The servant shrugged, "But as you can see... don't use them where there is ample light, or you will be blinding yourself."

“We will have to tell Arya not to even try using her spells,” Ruben added at once, making Siu nod heavily, finally starting to recover his sight, "Or we will be done for."

"So," the servant smiled while writing, "That means we will have five of these and...” counting and mumbling the final price, the numbers made Siu shake his head in disbelief, "Forty-two thousand eight hundred CC."

"What...?"

“That cannot be correct,” Ruben coughed, leaning in and looking at his writing.

“It is.” The servant said placidly, showing it to them.

“For cloth straps and glasses? What, are they massaging my feet?!” Ruben asked, breathing pretty fast all of a sudden.

“These are proper artifacts.” The servant reached for the box, closing it without any warning. “Naturally, you may hunt without them.”

"Woah, woah..." Ruben reached out, placing a hand on the box before the servant could lift it up from the table. “We did not say no.”

"We'll take the sets," Siu said with a shrug, while the servant just smiled and waited for him to pay it out, counting the CC twice.

After leaving, Ruben was still pinching his nose, grumbling about being fleeced, as these were not even weapons or proper armor... But then again, Siu reached out, patted his shoulder, and smiled.

“Look at it from this angle: We would have spent considerably more hiring someone to build the headquarters for us.”

“That does not make this cheap.” He moaned, "Look, I come from a place where money is readily available, and I still think these sets weren't worth that much."

“If they are durable,” Siu shrugged, "They may."

...

.....

.......

At the same time, down at the Companions, Arya let out a relieved sigh as the enormous colorful bird that sometimes perched atop its entrance was now absent. To their surprise, Bortan found them before they reached the supply building, smiling happily.

“What can I do for you today, my friends?" He asked, then clapped his hands, "Ah? Are you here for a group purchase?”

“Unfortunately,” Joren answered.

“Excellent!”

“For you.”

“Yep!” He laughed again while Nokoh handed him the copied mission details, and this time around his expression changed before he reached the end. “Are you really going for a Prismhide Burrower?”

“You sound unhappy,” Arya said cautiously, "Why...?"

“I never worked with one, as they aren't good as mounts outside of a mine. No, scratch that, not even there, as they would eat the tools. They also hate sunlight, so they won't survive on the surface, but I do know that they are a stubborn and aggressive bunch. Be careful.”

With that warning, he led them into the long, open-sided supply building until they stopped before a reinforced counter. A moment later, Bortan laid out a heavy set of restraints, making the group start picking them up and examining their elasticity and strength.

“Will these hold?” Nokoh asked.

"I don't know," Bortan shook his head. “Nothing here is certified for Prismhides, but we use these for beasts somewhere between eight and twenty tons, so it should do the job. I can't give you stronger ones, as those are only for special requests, and they would refuse to sell it for a hunting operation.”

"We will do with what we have," Joren hummed, feeling confident after putting them back down.

“The set contains three primary body lines," Bortan continued, demonstrating how to use them, "This also has eight joint loops, two cross-binding harnesses, and twelve locking clasps. You should be able to tie up the six legs if you can neutralize the creature. However... if it sheds its plates...”

“Not even these will survive that,” Nokoh asked.

“Yeah.” Bortan nodded. "That's your main job, to prevent it from doing it."

"We will take it." Joren nodded in the end, and by the time Bortan finished, the price had reached thirteen thousand six hundred CC.

“You are receiving a registered-association discount,” Bortan said, seeing their looks, winking at them, "Being a friend of the Companions and all that."

“How much was it before?” Joren asked, letting out a sigh.

“Do you really want to know?”

“No.”

“Wise choice,” He answered with a smile and began packaging it while Nokoh paid him, leaving a very happy Bortan behind.

...

....

......

Seloryn climbed the steps two at a time to the Formation Hall, where very few disciples were coming and going, compared to the Fabricator's or the Companions' place. Pushing the door open and slipping into the cool hall, the interior followed the same octagonal design as the building. Eight counters lined the walls, one beneath each circular window, while lines of silver and dark blue metal covered the floor, connecting those counters to a raised platform at the center, where an elevator led underground.

There was just as much silence inside as in the library, maybe even more, because here there wasn't even any muffling spell active; it was simply done by everybody almost whispering instead of speaking normally. With a steadying breath, Seloryn approached one of the counters where a thin-looking woman sat, assembling a stack of paper tags.

“Welcome. Purpose of visit?” She asked.

"Hunting." She answered promptly, knowing the people here valued precise approaches, so she didn't mince her words. “Prismhide Burrower. Required intact. Going underground.”

“Thank you.” The woman nodded, clearly satisfied with the prim and sharp answers. "Any specific emergency you wish to avoid?"

“Plate detonation. Tunnel collapse. Loss of visibility. Separation from the group. Unexpected charges. Failed restraint. Retreat through confined passages.”

"Very good." The woman nodded once, even smiling as she reached under her desk and brought out the first stack of paper talismans, tied together. “Blocking Tags against the shattering plates. Throw it between yourself and an incoming attack, and the formation on them produces an angled barrier for two seconds. It does not stop force directly, so an airburst or shockwave will still go through, but it will stop the plates themselves.”

"I'll take five." She nodded, and after the woman counted them, she reached for another stack, which were thicker-looking paper tags. “These are Ping Slips. They are usually used to find each other, but in your case, these may be the best distractions or Stone Beetle-repellent options. Throw one against a surface it can stick to, then activate it, and it will produce a strong vibration traveling away from the point of contact. This can confuse the creatures living underground, and the way they resonate is the hallmark of a burrower. Which eats said beetles, so it will scatter the latter in a panic.”

“Twelve, please.”

The woman looked at her, but then smiled and counted them out without asking a question.

“Finally, if things go bad..." She muttered, thinking for a moment, and bringing out red-colored tags, "These are Scatter Slips,” she explained, “Use them on yourselves. Their effect is solely weight reduction, helping you flee quicker or jump higher. Or the opposite, if you need to jump down, causing you to fall like a feather. Although they only last for ten seconds, so don't use them to jump off a way too big cliff.”

"Five, please," Seloryn nodded again.

"Fourteen thousand nine hundred CC." The woman said at the end after tallying everything, and Seloryn knew better than to ask for any kind of discount.

“Keep the Scatter Slips dry,” the woman said as she packed them. “The rest are water-resistant, but those are not. Try not to fold them too much either. It can ruin the formation if the ink breaks from rough handling. As for activation, a spark of essence infused into them will do it.”

"Thank you," Seloryn said with a smile, cupping her hands, and left, carefully putting everything into the inner pockets of her robe.

...

....

......

When everybody returned, they gathered at the Resting Reed shortly after noon, as Joren closed the dividing screens around the rear section while the others laid every purchase across the long table. There was barely enough room for it all, especially with the bindings Joren's group brought back.

“This is cool!” Arya exclaimed, already wearing her new socks, stomping her feet, finding it funny they barely made any noise, no matter how hard she tried.

“We see,” Siu said, pulling her back to her chair, "Try not to ruin them, though."

"Damn..." Vael muttered meanwhile, checking the paper tags, "This cheap? One slip like this would be super expensive back home..."

"It was expensive," Ruben argued, but Vael just threw him a pitying look.

"Believe me... At some places, you could throw a zero behind the price of the bunch, and people will still pay it."

“Maybe we should travel more,” Joren spoke up, his eyes flashing the same way as his half-brother's.

"Before that," Seloryn said, "We should make sure we are ready, so... Group training!"

Naturally, they did not leave the next morning as they spent two more days testing every item, except the paper tags, because they were consumables. Instead, they used dummies, practicing how to apply and throw them out. As for Ruben, he rehearsed forming a water restraint around a moving target, which turned out to be Siu. His fight with the water tentacles, as Arya started calling them, ended on the third morning, when the Spirit Wardens gathered before the gate marked with the number Seven.

It was time to capture a glass pig for themselves.